A number of documents were written in 1983 by groups seeking to improve American education. This digest was developed to review and examine some of the common themes (as they pertain to science education) from these documents. They are: (1) "A Nation at Risk"; (2) "Educating Our Citizens: The Search for Excellence"; (3)…

This digest provides an overview of several meta-analysis studies which focused on various aspects of science instruction. These studies examined: productive factors in science learning for grades 6 through 12; quality and quantity of instruction; effects of various teaching strategies on science achievement; instructional systems in science…

From a science perspective, inquiry-oriented instruction engages students in the investigative nature of science. Inquiry involves activity and skills, but the focus is on the active search for knowledge or understanding to satisfy a curiosity. This digest further describes the distinguishing features of inquiry-oriented science instruction and…

A review of representative instructional strategies and programs which focus on Science-Technology-Society (STS) themes is presented in this digest. A rationale and specific recommendations for the inclusion of an STS component in the science curriculum are offered. The options which exist for instruction of STS themes are identified and examples…

By playing with toys, children sometimes wonder how and why toys do what they do. At the moment of curiosity, interest can be captured and thinking can be influenced. This is a good time to focus on natural phenomena, provoke imagination, and promote scientific thinking. This book presents 53 classroom-tested activities to teach science with toys.…

This ERIC Digest describes the parameters of misconception research as it relates to the learning of science and highlights some of its implications for the teaching of science in the elementary school. The document reviews terminology associated with misconception research, identifies common characteristics of misconceptions, and specifies…

This volume presents a compilation and review of more than 400 research efforts reported in 1987, organized in such a way that studies on related topics are easy to access by practitioners or researchers. The document is organized around four major sections that reflect the process of teaching, learning, and schooling including: (1) "Learners…

This review presents a broad perspective of the state of knowledge in science education, a description of existing trends, the areas where research is needed, and tentative answers to persistent problems that have been identified from the research. The review is organized into eight sections. An introductory section describes methods of using…

This information bulletin examines research and practice issues considered critical in resolving the crisis in science education. Analyses are presented of (1) the current reform movement in science education, (2) the changing culture of science, (3) science education research, (4) the rise of the cognitive sciences, (5) science teachers and…

This volume represents a compilation and organization of more than 400 research efforts reported in 1986. Its objective was to organize the research in such a way that studies or related topics are easy to access by practitioners or researchers. It is organized around four major sections that reflect the process of teaching, learning, and…

The first science education digest for 1985 focused on data obtained by use of meta-analysis techniques on research studies of science instruction. Instruction seldom takes place without instructional materials, so this second digest is a companion one containing a discussion of science education research on instructional materials. Data are shown…

This digest addresses cognitive learning with respect to outside-the-classroom instruction at the elementary school level. It notes that affective, not cognitive, learning has traditionally been the primary objective of field instruction at all K-12 levels. Therefore, most educational research in field instruction has been mainly non-cognitive in…

This review presents a broad perspective of the state of knowledge in science education, a description of existing trends, the areas where research is needed, and tentative answers to persistent problems that have been identified from the research. The review is organized into nine categories. The first is an historical perspective dealing with…

Reported is a summary and review of more than 400 research reports published in 1986. The review is organized into four sections: (1) Teaching and the Teacher; (2) Learning and the Learner; (3) Curriculum and Instruction; and (4) Instrument Development and Analysis. Sections include overview, discussion of the studies, and implications for…

This document provides preschool teachers with activities intended to help children better understand the world around them. The introductory section of this book includes papers focusing on the cognitive development of the preschooler, encouraging the integration of science into the early childhood curriculum, promoting multisensory science…